Book Release: The Resurrection of Jesus- A New Historiographical Approach by Mike Licona

Mike Licona's new book The Resurrection of Jesus- A New Historiographical Approach is now available! I just started the book yesterday and am very excited about his new approach!

About the Book from the Publisher

The question of the historicity of Jesus' resurrection has been repeatedly probed, investigated and debated. And the results have varied widely. Perhaps some now regard this issue as the burned-over district of New Testament scholarship. Could there be any new and promising approach to this problem?

Yes, answers Michael Licona. And he convincingly points us to a significant deficiency in approaching this question: our historiographical orientation and practice. So he opens this study with an extensive consideration of historiography and the particular problem of investigating claims of miracles. This alone is a valuable contribution.

But then Licona carefully applies his principles and methods to the question of Jesus' resurrection. In addition to determining and working from the most reliable sources and bedrock historical evidence, Licona critically weighs other prominent hypotheses. His own argument is a challenging and closely argued case for the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. Any future approaches to dealing with this "prize puzzle" of New Testament study will need to be routed through The Resurrection of Jesus.

Contents



This is the book to read on the resurrection!

You can get it here.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Comments

Anonymous said…
Chad, I see that you are still plugging away in defense of the faith. Haven't read Michael's newest book. Perhaps someone will send me a copy for Christmas. I'll wait for the New Year to purchase it, just in case.

Burial of Jesus is my newest concern. Two points of interest:

1--It is really an entombment, not a burial as most of us would understand burial. Seems like a "real" burial with the corpse six feet under for three days would make for a more believable "resurrection". No doubt about death, violating the burial, etc.

2--Also appears to be little evidence to support an actual biblical burial. As far as I can tell only a few women appear to have been witnesses to the burial and we know how valuable or acceptable their testimony would have been according to Christian scholars--that is to say that it would have been practically worthless. Seems like an interesting explanation for the "empty tomb" if Jesus was never there in the first place.

Anyway, hope you are well. Thom.
Chad said…
Hello Thom,

I am very pleased to hear from you and hope you and yours are doing well! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts.

First off, I would encourage you to read Licona’s book when you get a chance. I am not even halfway through it yet; however, thus far I am very impressed with his approach and thoroughness. I firmly believe you would enjoy it.

If I may, I’d like to share a few thoughts regarding your points:

1- This is an fascination thought; however, I still think it’s important to deal with the data we do have.

Further, even if Jesus had been buried “six feet under” I could still see people rejecting a resurrection claim with statements such as:

“They dug up the body!”

“He was never in the coffin!”

“You dug up the wrong grave!”

So, although I see your point, I’m not sure a more traditional burial would make the resurrection easier to believe.

2. Seems like an interesting explanation for the "empty tomb" if Jesus was never there in the first place.

Indeed; however, I would argue that 2 of the best attested events surrounding the resurrection is that Jesus died by crucifixion and that the disciples believed that he rose and appeared to them. So, even if I concede that Jesus was not buried as the Bible states He was [granted, I believe He was and would urge you and readers to consider Dr. Craig’s treatment on the topic in A Reasonable Faith, 3rd edition], we still would need to explain exactly who or what the disciples saw after Jesus’ death that radically changed them from being afraid to boldly proclaiming a risen Jesus.

Please watch the blog in the coming month as I will be reviewing Licona’s book chapter by chapter and I’m sure the topic of the burial will be covered.

Great to hear from you!

Respectfully